The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-12
question. Mr.. Weir, nor any other Democrat,
can show where any President pro tenn. ever
asserted title to the Office of Lieutenant


Suppose that we elect Lieutenant gov
ernor in 1888. If Colonel Robertson is legally
elected for four years, as | understand he
claims he is, we will find ourselves with two
acknowledgements, and dispute as to
which is such of right"
We make bold to say that this statement is
without the slightest foundation in fact. No
Republican ever made such claim. Colonel
Robertson never did. Although the Journal
has not asked him. we assume the truth Of
our denial. Colonel Robertson and John c.
Nelson were distinctly nominated to fill va
cancy in the Office of Lieutenant-governor,
said to exist by the Democratic Attorney
general Of the State. Senator Campbell an
swered this point in the Senate, yesterday,
unequivocally. 1t is not worth wasting any
more words upon. 1t is a man of straw, of
Mr.. Weir's own making. All his argument or
jeremiad over it is simply beating the air.
Mr.. Weir further says:
"The Senate was, of course obliged to act.
1t was convened according to law, and had its
legislative duties to discharge. An organiza-
ton was an essential STEP The oues-
tion of the election of President of the Sen
ate was forced upon it. and it had to be dealt
with, and Senator Smith was chosen as Presi
dent pro tempore. Now, at that time
Colonel Robertson had not claimed, and could
not have claimed, the office"
OF course; but the Senate was not organ
lied according to law The Auditor Of State
did not preside at its organization, but mad
bully attended to that duty, with no warrant
of law or authority of precedent. A lunatic
from the asylum or convict from the State
prison had just as much legal and moral right
to do on Thursday morning what Green Smith
did by and with the consent and connivance
of the Democratic majority and of the Auditor
of State. The Democrats concede this fact
now, and Mr.. Weir dare not make an argu-
ment or plea for the legality of Smiths occu-
pancy of the chair prior to bis election
under the resolution offered and put by SEN
ator Sellers. AT that time Colonel Robertson
had no possible connection with the presi-
dency of the Senate, attempted to assert none,
and no Republican suggested his name in
connection with the matter
In conclusion Mr.. Weir restates with weari-
some iteration, the position of the Democra-
Cyl" by saying:
| '1t is easily seen that the only thing to do
is for Colonel Robertson to begin his action
| against Senator Smith, by way of information
under the statute, charging him therein with
| usurping an office to which he (Robertson) is
| entitled. l know of no means by which
| Senator Smith could now present the matter to
| the courts. He is in possession of the Office of
| President of the Senate, and the action must
be brought by tine claimant, Colonel Robert
| son, the prosecuting attorney of this cir
| cult"
| Mr.. Weir should rub up his knowledge Of
| law trife. Senator Smith is not ssusurping
an Office belonging to Colonel Robertson
| There is no such office as president of the
| Senate" Colonel Robertson is in possession
| of the "office" of Acknowledgements. One
| function Of that Office he is not exercising
either because he does not at present care to
do so, or because he is prevented by a mob and
a bully. What other function of the office
Of Lieutenant governor is Senator Smith
''usurping;" and how could Colonel Robert
son go into the courts and say that, because
Smith is acting as President pro tempore Of
the Senate under resolution of election by
| that body, he is, therefore, "usurping the
! the office of Lieutenant governor" A COM
plant Of that sort would presuppose the
| idiocy of Colonel Robertson, and would be
| kicked out of even a Justices court before it
| co1lld he road Tf Green Smith thipke ha 10
'Lieutenant- governor" or the prosecutor of
this circuit thinks Colonel Robertson is
/ both, proceed to the courts for the settlement
Of the question. Colonel Robertson has acted
within the constitution and laws, and so have
the epublicans-convent;on people, and
members Of the Legislature. They will con-
| tinue to Go so. Whenever claimant to the
Office of Lieutenant-governor can get his
claim passed upon favorably by the Supreme
Court Of the State, or can get court to try
the title to the Office of Lieutenant governor,
no Republican will be found anywhere to in
terfere or to offer the slightest objection.
We have gone over this ground at length
to show once more the utter baselessness oil
"the Democratic position" which Senator
Weir took two columns Of tie Sentinel tc
indicate and vindicate.
Mr. GREEN SMITH saws he told number
Of Republicans, as well as Democrats, before